India, Germany to collaborate for circular economy & water management

In order to pursue and practice clean and sustainable development, India and Germany will collaborate to focus on circular economy and water management. The circular economy, which aims to eradicate waste by optimum utilisation of raw material during manufacturing and recycling waste and discarded products, is fast catching the attention of governments globally.
 
In a bilateral meeting held in New Delhi between Prakash Javadekar (Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change) and Dr Barbara Hendricks (Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, of Germany), both the countries have decided to set up two working groups focusing on circular economy and water management. The ministers stated that the focus of the working group would be restoration of water bodies, waste management, and more efficient use of water resources. This augurs well for India which is aiming to develop 100 smart cities and adopt sustainable development approach for achieving this goal.
 
Prakash Javadekar has said that Government’s initiatives to tap cleaner sources of energy reflected India’s commitment to pursue and practice clean and sustainable development. As a fast developing economy, climate adaptation measures along with mitigation formed the defining factor in India’s approach towards development. He also emphasised the need to alter the energy mix in favour of renewable energy sources so that a balanced approach towards development and environment conservation could be evolved.
 
Dr Barbara Hendricks has said that Indian and German governments held similar positions for the Post-2015 agenda on Climate Change. Both countries needed sustainable development goals that address all three dimensions of sustainability – economic, ecological and social aspects – equally. Germany was ready to share with India its experience in adapting to sustainable development models, said Dr Hendricks.
 
Both the Ministers emphasised that the UN Climate Summit in Lima had laid the foundations for negotiations on a new global climate agreement which would be adopted in the Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris later this year.